FLOODING caused havoc in Weston Point on Tuesday when the drainage system failed to cope with a two-hour downpour.

Water gushed out of drainage grids, pavements turned to streams, and more than six inches of water, rubbish and silt poured into the cellar at the Weaver Hotel.

Landlady Jill Barnett said: 'Water just came gushing in through the ceiling, and there was nothing we could do to stop it.'

She immediately phoned the council to report the damage and register her complaint.

Jill said: 'It's not just stock that's been ruined. The cellar is damp and full of rubbish and silt. It's going to take hours to clean up the mess and it will have to be re-painted.'

Jill added: 'It's the council's fault. The brewery pays tax throughout the year ­ the council should maintain adequate drains. We've only been here since December, but locals tell me its not the first time this has happened.'

A spokesman for Halton Borough Council said yesterday: 'Our engineers are going out to the Weaver Hotel today to investigate the cause of the problem and carry out any work that is necessary.'